Before the year turns to the fall calendar, September is a nice time to plan a vacation. Kids are back in school, the vacation rush is winding down, temperatures are starting to cool, there’s more availability in popular summer spots, and rates for hotels and airfares start to drop.
Top 10 places to visit in September:
Grand Canyon
If you can hold off your Grand Canyon trip until the end of summer, then September is the best time to do it, when most of the vacation crowds have left for the season and the trails are still open. This Arizona wonder is a vacation bucket-list for many people, but trying to navigate the crowds can oftentimes diminish the experience.
Besides large numbers of people, the intense mid-summer heat can be unbearable. September has cooler temperatures along the trails, and you will find more availability with hotel rooms.
Barcelona
The busy and beautiful city of Barcelona is one of Spain’s most stunning destinations, and September is an ideal time to visit. Summer vacation crowds can make lines long at the top attractions, like La Sagrada Familia, and oftentimes limit availability if you do not book days ahead of time.
The streets in popular areas like the historic Barri Gòtic and Las Ramblas can be so overcrowded in the high season that most of your time is spent just getting from point-A to point-B. Crowd concerns are lessened in September when there are fewer vacationers, so you can enjoy all of the attractions and experiences with fewer people and cooler temperatures.
Late in the month, you can enjoy La Merce, a festive celebration with daily parades, acrobats, and entertainment.
Buenos Aires
September is springtime in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This shoulder season has a number of advantages over the peak tourist season in January and February. The cooler temperatures make it comfortable to enjoy strolling the streets in areas like Palermo to see the parks, architecture, and museums the neighborhoods are known for. With fewer tourists this time of year, attractions like the city’s rose garden, Paseo del Rosedal, and the Fair of the Mataderos market will be enjoyable.
September is a great time to score affordable hotel rates and plenty of availability.
Patagonia
A trip to Patagonia in September is great from both Chile and Argentina. It is an ideal time to go for those who love the outdoors and want to explore the Andes Mountains, glaciers, and seemingly endless vistas.
September is springtime in Patagonia, which means colorful blooms of flowers, vibrant green vegetation, and the arrival of the first penguins that flock to the region to mate. Since it is early in the season, some hotels may not yet be open, but for the ones that are, you can find great deals. With fewer tourists this time of year, you will also have better views in the tourist areas and more availability on organized tours.
Zimbabwe
September is in the middle of the dry season in Zimbabwe, so wildlife viewing is at its peak. It can be a nice alternative to Tanzania and Kenya, which are other popular destinations for safari vacations. This is a great month to witness hippos, lions, rhinoceros, and crocodiles resting or heading to a watering hole.
Zimbabwe offers so much more than just safari treks. September weather is nice to visit Victoria Falls where you can hike, photograph, take helicopter tours, and try white water rafting. September is a nice month to visit Matobo National Park, where you can witness unusual rock formations and monuments and learn about the culture through the paintings of the bushmen from the region.
Minneapolis
The northern location of Minneapolis means stunning early fall color on the trees in September. The cooling temperatures make it nice to explore the best of the city, from the Stone Arch Bridge to the Wiseman Museum of Art.
It is the best time to get outdoors and enjoy the first bursts of color on the trees in North America. Some of the best places to do that are at Minnehaha Park, exploring the Chain of Lakes, and at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Temperatures and weather are generally comfortable in September, but if there’s a less than ideal day for the outdoors, you can fill your agenda at the Mall of America or one of the many museums in the city.
Nepal
Timing is important for many reasons when you consider a trip to Nepal, and September is one of the best months to go. It is a great time to visit to hike and avoid the crowds that can cause delays and aggravation on the trails during busier months. September is when travelers are just beginning to return to the region, when the rainfall is lower and the air is cooler.
This month is when many of the popular treks in the Everest and Annapurna regions are starting to open, so you can secure a spot early in the season. Since September is on the fringe of the busy fall season in October, you can still find great hotel deals before the rest of the tourists arrive.
Montreal
September is a great time to vacation in Montreal, when the summer weather is still in full swing, and the tourists have left for the season. This is also when you will start to see greater hotel availability and rates starting to drop.
It is a comfortable time of the year to walk the streets to see the 18th-century architecture along the Vieux-Montreal and walk the cobblestone streets as you enjoy the cathedrals and coffee shops. Take advantage of the mild weather to walk the manicured grounds at the Parc du Mont-Royal or get a panoramic view of the city from the Montreal Observation Wheel.
Crete
The Greek island of Crete is a natural sensory spectacle of mountains, turquoise water, beaches, and palm forests that are pleasant to experience in September. Flowers are in full bloom, and water temperatures are ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
The summer months, while still a great time to visit, can get quite hot when you are spending the days out in the sun walking the streets of the old towns or exploring archeological sites like Knossos. Many of the beaches in the summertime are overcrowded, but September enables you to enjoy the pink sands of Elafonissi more comfortably.
Many visitors arrive by air or ferry in Heraklion. Other popular tourist towns on the island include Rethymnon, Chania, and Agios Nikolaos.
Besides the cooler September temperatures and fewer people, you can find lower rates for hotels.
Puerto Rico
The upside to visiting Puerto Rico in September is the steep discounts that you will find on hotel rooms and airfare, along with an abundance of availability for both. The downside is the risk of inclement weather since it is in hurricane season. It is a trade-off, but one that might be worth it in order to experience Flamenco Beach and south Vieques beach, home of the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, without many other tourists.
This is a comfortable time to explore the streets of San Juan, including Old San Juan, and the El Yunque National Rainforest and take in the natural beauty of the island.
